HAGERSTOWN, MD. – It has been nearly 17 years since Pete Rose Jr. was on a major league payroll as a player.

Between Sept. 1-28 in 1997, the son of baseball's all-time hit leader wore his father's No. 14 for the Cincinnati Reds at age 27. Playing for then-manager Jack McKeon, "Little Pete" collected two hits in 14 at-bats, including a knock in his debut with his father seated in the Riverfront Stadium blue seats.

Now nearing his 45th birthday in November, Rose last played for the independent Atlantic League Long Island Ducks in 2009. He's coached in the White Sox organization since 2011 and currently heads up the low-A Kannapolis Intimidators of the South Atlantic League.

Speaking by phone on the road in Hagerstown, Md., the son of the Hit King has the same rapid-fire patter as his father.

With 1,877 minor league hits, including 158 home runs, this Rose is Kevin Costner's "Crash Davis" come to life. His pro playing career spanned from age 19 to 39.

His next goal is to manage in the big leagues.

In his fourth year as a skipper, he looks, acts and sounds the part.

"When you get to come to work with the guys I've had, it makes it enjoyable," Rose said. "They want to learn and they play the right way. My two kids (Pete Rose III, 9, and Isabella, 7) were just here for two weeks and they have 25 older brothers. We'll see what happens in the next couple of years."

His son, P.J., does slide head first but is currently focusing on football for the Visitation Vikings. Like his father, there's no mistaking him for anything but a Rose.

Among the baseball memorabilia P.J. stands to inherit is the bat his father used for his first major league hit

Eight years in the making, only one more big league hit would come in 1997 followed by another 12 years of toiling at various professional levels.

The upside of some of Rose's on- and off-field struggles are the lessons that can be passed on.

"If I can help one kid not do what I did back in the day, it makes my job that much better," Rose said. "You just try to get them in the right direction and help them understand the game. If I could've handled it a little better, I may have played a little longer in the big leagues than just a month."

Pete Rose Jr. can also pass on the lessons of 73-year-old "Charlie Hustle." The elder Rose listens to Intimidator games on the internet and often phones or texts with advice and/or strategy.

"He's a great asset to have in your back pocket," Rose said. "It's been nothing but great ever since it started and he's been behind me every step of the way."

There's another book about baseball's all-time hits leader coming out and Commissioner Bud Selig has indicated Peter Edward Rose will be a part of next year's Cincinnati All-Star festivities.

Rose Jr. is so used to the question that he answers before it is asked.

"You're asking a Rose a question about a Rose, so I'm kind of biased on that subject," Rose said. "If there's an All-Star Game in Cincinnati, he has to be there. That's our guy. If you're born and raised in Cincinnati, he's your guy. There's no two ways around it."

By then, many things could change; including Rose Jr's status running a team. The apple (or Rose) doesn't fall far from the tree in terms of confidence.

"I will manage in the big leagues at some point," said Rose (@hitprince14 on Twitter).